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Johannesburg - Police have launched a manhunt following a daring escape of prisoners while they were being transported from the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court on Friday, Gauteng police said.

"Police are on a manhunt for suspects who shot at the police truck and forced open the truck door to let the prisoners out this afternoon," spokesperson Captain Doniah Mothutsane said in a statement.

"The truck was transporting 28 prisoners from the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court to New Lock Prison."

The truck was travelling on Lucas Mangope Drive near Medunsa when it was ambushed by an unknown number of people, Mothutsane said.

"The suspects started shooting at the police truck carrying the prisoners. The suspects then forced open the door of the truck. Some of the prisoners jumped off the truck into the suspects' vehicle whilst others fled on foot," she said.

The road near Medunsa was a hive of activity with more than 15 police cars were parked in front of the entrance to the university.

The police truck was in the middle of the road as the forensic unit combed the area. Other police officers were about a kilometre away searching through the bushes on horseback.

There was also a police helicopter hovering over the scene as the search for the gang continued.

It was not yet known how many people had escaped from the truck.

Mothutsane said police were busy with a roll call to establish how many prisoners were missing.

"No one has been injured and the investigations are under way. Police are appealing to anyone who might have information that could lead to arrests or the identification of prisoners/suspects to come forward with the information.

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